Dela Rosa insists on not surrendering; won’t recognize ICC warrant

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa maintained on Saturday that he will not surrender to authorities should the International Criminal Court (ICC) decides to issue an arrest order against him.

“Hypothetical? Hindi ako magpahuli. Hindi ako sasama. Hindi ako magpahuli,” the senator stressed over an interview with DWIZ.

(Hypothetically speaking? No, I will not let them catch me. I will not surrender. I will not let them catch me.)

READ: Palace slams Bato dela Rosa for considering hiding from ICC arrest

In explaining his reason, Dela Rosa echoed his earlier pronouncements, saying that the country does not recognize the ICC and that it has no jurisdiction in the Philippines.

“Kung ’yung warrant na ’yan ay galing sa Supreme Court o galing sa RTC (Regional Trial Court) natin, then haharapin ko. Pero ang warrant coming from an entity na hindi na natin na-recognize yung jurisdiction, bakit ko haharapin ’yan?” the senator insisted.

(If the warrant came from the Supreme Court or it came from one of our Regional Trial Courts then I will face it. But if it came from an entity and we don’t recognize its jurisdiction then why will I face it?)

Earlier the senator said he was considering going into hiding amid a possible arrest warrant from the ICC.

Asked if he plans to leave the country, Dela Rosa said “no.”

“Hindi ako lalabas sa aking comfort zone. My comfort zone sa Philippines. Bakit ako pupunta sa ibang bansa? Dito ako sa Pilipinas. Dito ako pinanganak. Dito ako mamamatay sa bansa kung sinilangan,” he added.

(I will not leave my comfort zone. My comfort zone is in the Philippines. Why would I go to another country? I am here in the Philippines. I was born here. I would die here in the country because I was born here.)

Dela Rosa was the former national police chief during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Dela Rosa issued Command Memorandum Circular No. 16-2016 when he assumed power as PNP chief. The memo was the basis for Project Double Barrel which started Duterte’s war on drugs.

This particular role landed him on the roster of Duterte administration officials who were accused of crimes against humanity by drug war victims-families before the ICC.

Based on reports, the former chief executive’s war on drugs left at least 6,000 people dead; however, human rights groups reported that the number may have reached 20,000.

Last March 11, Duterte was served an arrest warrant by the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s brutal drug war.

Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, the Netherlands where the ICC is based. He attended his pre-trial hearing via video call last March 14.